Minneapolis Mississippi River History Walking Tour

On your 2-hour fully narrated experience you’ll stroll along, and across, the Mississippi River in the footsteps of people like railroad tycoon James J Hill, once the richest man in Minnesota. He made his fortune as the river rushed through the heartland, tumbled down a magnificent waterfall, and powered dozens of mills as a rapidly thriving community grew up around it. Your tour guide will delight you with stories of epic rivalries, world domination, quiet hidden corners, boom town brothels, and European explorers as you traverse 350 years of recorded history. Once the flour-milling capital of the world, modern-day Minneapolis thrives on its founding principles of hard work, innovation, and ingenuity. See how historic structures are repurposed for modern use, while retaining the charm and flair of past golden ages. This is the Minneapolis we bring you back to: the Minneapolis of sawdust, extreme wealth, immigrants, brewers, and nature. This is the best sightseeing experience in town!

Meeting Point

Guthrie Theater

818 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55415, USA

Meet your guide outside the front door; s/he will be wearing a purple shirt with company logo.

What's included:

• Professional tour company with over 10 years' experience
• Local, knowledgeable, licensed Tour Guide

What to expect:

Duration: 2 hours

Guthrie Theater

818 S 2nd St, , Minneapolis, 55415-1252, Minnesota

The country’s largest regional theater, offering a breathtaking view of our tour area from the Endless Bridge

5 minutes

Mill City Museum

704 S 2nd St, , Minneapolis, 55401-2163, Minnesota

Once housed the world’s largest and most technologically advanced flour mill in the world, now a history on the founding and growth of Minneapolis.

Pass by without stopping

Mill Ruins Park

102 Portland Ave, Minneapolis, 55401-2531, Minnesota

Celebrates and documents the history of 19th-century flour mills long since abandoned and excavated in the past 25 years.

10 minutes

Mississippi River

Mississippi River, Minnesota, USA

Discover why it’s been the Minneapolis area’s lifeline for over 10,000 years.

15 minutes

Stone Arch Bridge

Stone Arch Bridge, Minneapolis, MN, USA

Cross the river via this historic and unique bridge, while taking in the best view of the city.

20 minutes

St. Anthony Falls

West River Road and Portland Ave, , Minneapolis, 55414, Minnesota

First documented in 1680, the falls powered mills and generated wealth for the Twin Cities.

15 minutes

Saint Anthony Main

Saint Anthony Main, Minneapolis, MN, USA

Stroll the oldest street in Minneapolis, passing by the city’s oldest tavern and over a warren of caves and tunnels.

15 minutes

Мост Хеннепин Авеню

Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA

Location of what was the first permanent bridge over the Mississippi River, we take the current elegant and stylish bridge back toward downtown.

20 minutes

Nicollet Island

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Before it became a Victorian oasis in the middle of “Big Muddy”, the island was revered by the Sioux and Ojibwe.

5 minutes

Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

90 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, 55401-1804, Minnesota

The third building for this purpose stands on the site of the former Minneapolis Great Northern Depot and the Pacific sawmill.

Pass by without stopping

Gateway District

Gateway District, Minneapolis, MN, USA

In the 19th century, “Bridge Square” was the commercial hub and government seat of the growing city; the original Downtown Minneapolis.

Pass by without stopping

The Depot

Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA

The Milwaukee Road railway depot bustled with activity for over 70 years; today it remains one of the last surviving long-span, truss-roofed sheds in the country.

5 minutes

United States Postal Service

100 S 1st St, Minneapolis, MN 55401, USA

An Art Deco treasure in an unexpected location, the opulent lobby remains unchanged since its 1933 opening.

10 minutes

Water Works Park

333 S 1st St, Minneapolis, MN 55401, USA

St Anthony Falls’ power was harnessed for industry here at the nation’s first commercial hydroelectric generation station.

5 minutes